The Art of Letting Go – part 36

It was 5 in the morning. Mamang got out of bed and went outside, leaving a sleeping Teresita, Kute, and Maya behind. As she went on her way to the kitchen, she noticed the hard outpour of rain outside. She was a bit disappointed as the thought of being held up inside the mansion occurred to her.

A couple of seconds later, smile was slowly making its way up to her lips. She still vividly recalls how she used to prepare champorado with tuyo for her family whenever there is a downpour of rain back in San Nicholas. The good old days, she further thought. As this recollection invaded her memory, she decided to go to the kitchen and ask Manang Fe if they have the necessary ingredients needed for the preparation of the said meal she had in mind. Luckily, Manang Fe is already up and was already about to prepare breakfast for the whole Lim and dela Rosa clan.

“Magandang umaga Fe,” greeted Mamang as she sighted her immediately at the kitchen counter.

Surprised to see Mamang already up at an early hour, Manang Fe greeted her back with the same enthusiasm. “Magandang umaga din Conchita. Ang aga mo naman nagising? Nakatulog ka naman ba ng maigi?”

Manang Fe summoned Sabel and Joma and asked them to buy the ingredients needed for the chocolate rice porridge that Mamang plans to cook and salted dried fish as well.

While waiting, Mamang and Manang Fe shared stories to one another. Stories of their childhood, of their interests, and stories about Richard and Maya. Thirty minutes later, Sabel and Joma finally returned with the ingredients at hand, with that, Mamang started cooking.

As Mamang finished cooking, together with the help of Manang Fe, Joma, Sabel, & Doris, they set-up a table at the veranda and arranged breakfast there. As soon as everything is already set-up, Mamang went to her family and called them up for breakfast. She asked Manang Fe to call Richard & his parents so they can start with them.

As everyone gathered around the veranda, everyone exchanged good mornings and a couple of delighted exclaims were heard as they saw the meal prepared for them.

Richard gave his mom a baffled look as he cannot recall such incident to have ever occurred in the past. “When was that ma? How come I don’t have any recollection of that?”

“Well, you were only four at that time son. And it was really a torture for me and your papa cause we really love eating champorado with tuyo but since you hated the smell, we have to let go of our pleasures and think of your own,” explained Donya Esmeralda.

“No, no. I want to give it a try. Sabi naman ni Mama, I just didn’t like the smell back when I was a kid. Malay natin, I might actually like its taste,” smiled Richard.

“Sigurado ka? Gusto mo talagang subukan?”

“Of course!” answered Richard proudly.

Everyone gathered around the table and started eating their meal. Maya watched Richard intently to see his progress. She tried her best not to laugh at his cluelessness on how to start working on his tuyo. She saw how he tried to take out the fish’s flesh using his spoon instead of his fingers and how he failed miserably each time. Taking pity on him, Maya took the initiative of giving him the fish’s flesh for him to eat, placing them on his bowl.

“O ayan. Nakakaawa ka na kasi eh,” chuckled Maya.

“But –“

Maya simply cut him off by raising a brow.

Richard shrugged his shoulders. Smiling at her, he muttered a thank you. As he scooped some porridge from his bowl with a fish on top, and started chewing it, he was surprised to learn how good it actually tasted.

With undeniable delight, he voiced out his pleasure over the meal. “Mmmm. This really is good!” he uttered.

Reluctantly, Maya obeyed Mamang and went to the kitchen to get a ladle, while the rest of the family went to the living room.

When Maya got back to the veranda, she started rubbing Richard’s back with the use of the ladle. As the ladle moved up and down his back, he found it surprisingly soothing and comfy which also made him sleepy.

For a couple of minutes, Maya continued to rub Richard’s back with the ladle, making him forget his discomfort and eventually pulled him to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As afternoon came, so is the time of the dela Rosa clan’s return to San Nicholas. Richard and Maya drove them to the airport. As always, their partings were not completed without any unshed tears coming from the ladies.

“Naku! Kung hindi lang talaga kita mahal!” she said as she pinched his cheeks once more then cupped his face and gave him a smack on his lips. “O ayan ha. Nagawa ko na ang kondisyon mo. Sige na at mag-aayos na ako ng gamit ko.”

She was about to turn around when Richard stopped her once again. “Hindi parin pwede.”

Richard held her face and slanted his lips against hers and started giving her a coaxing kiss. Richard ran his tongue against her lower lip, urging her to open for him which she did. Taking in the invitation, Richard plunged his tongue inside her mouth and gave her deep luscious licks as he savoured her warmth and sweetness. Richard was about to break away when Maya caught up with him and started nibbling his lower lip.

As if brought out of trance, Maya reluctantly let go of his lips and immediately buried her flaming cheeks on his chest, trying to hide her fuming embarrassment. “Honey naman eh!” Maya tried to suppress a squeal.

Richard laughed some more. “Ok, ok hindi na.” He placed a kiss on top of her head. “Do you need help in packing up your things?”

Maya simply nodded her head.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everything went back to the usual routine when Maya’s family left Manila to go back to San Nicholas. Richard fetching Maya from the condo before going to his office and fetching her from work then driving straight to his mansion so they could spend time with his parents.

Thursday came and everyone’s pretty hyped with the impending pamamanhikan of Richard and his parents to the dela Rosas. Both parties are excited and nervous at the same time as both parties will be experiencing the said Filipino tradition for the very first time. Everyone’s unsure of what to do, what to bring, what to expect, or what to prepare.

Inside the mansion, Donya Esmeralda was restless about the whole thing. Coming from a Chinese family, she has very little knowledge of the Filipino traditions and practices. If not with the help of Manang Fe and the other house helps, who imparted their knowledge about how the whole thing is usually done, she might’ve spent the whole day pacing back and forth the living room in agitation.

As soon as she learnt the simplicity of the process, she immediately summoned for Joma and asked him to bring her to the mall so she could buy some gifts and pastries she could bring to San Nicholas. After purchasing ample amount of gifts for the dela Rosa clan and incredible amount of goods, Donya Esmeralda finally decided to head back home and prepare her things for their trip the next day.

If the excitement within the Lim family is contained within the confinements of the mansion, the excitement of the dela Rosa clan tells a different story as their excitement and preparation spread like wildfire in the whole local community. Richard’s pamamanhikan instantly became the talk of town, making Richard & Maya instant celebrities. Everyone within the community are all eager to help anyway they can.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

6AM the next day, Richard is found knocking on the condo’s door to fetch Maya. After a couple of knocks, Maya opened the door.

“Good morning Angel!”

“Good morning Honey!”

Richard bent down and gave Maya a quick kiss on the lips. “Ready?”

“Yup! Sila Papa at Mama?” she asked.

“They’re in the car waiting for us. Let’s go?”

Maya bid Emman goodbye then, with hands entwined, she and Richard walked out of the condo and proceed to his waiting car.

All throughout their ride to the airport and their plane ride to San Nicholas, they talked about nothing but what went on in the mansion and in San Nicholas in preparation for the pamamanhikan. They were all laughing after learning that both parties were actually rattled up because of their cluelessness on how it should go.

When Don Roberto and Donya Esmeralda learned from Maya that not only her immediate family were preparing for the said event but the whole local community, they can’t help but be in awe with the display of bayanihan that the people are showing. There is no doubt in their hearts that the dela Rosa family is well loved in their community.

Finally, the plane had arrived San Nicholas. After checking out their baggage, Maya, together with Richard and his parents went outside the airport where Maya’s family are waiting to fetch them.

After a while, they all headed to the hotel where Richard and his parents were booked. They stayed at the hotel for a couple of hours before heading out to Tokanz to have their lunch.

Lunch is wonderfully spent with stories shared to one another and playful banters thrown at each other.

After having their lunch, Mamang encouraged Richard’s parents to have a tour around San Nicholas which the latter gladly agreed to. They went to several tourist spots in San Nicholas and finally, stopping at what Maya considers as the most romantic place in the whole San Nicholas.

As soon as they set foot on the very spot where Tatay Arturo proposed to Nanay Teresita, Maya immediately took over and narrated their story to Don Roberto and Donya Esmeralda.

Hearing the story of love of Maya’s parents and the undoubted enthusiasm and giddiness Maya feels as she shares their story, Don Roberto and Donya Esmeralda couldn’t help but feel warmth and tenderness wrap all over them as they try to picture out two couples thoroughly in love with one another.

Nanay Teresita, on the other hand, had mixed emotions hearing the story in her own daughter’s view. She suddenly felt melancholic as promises made by her husband resurfaced her mind once more.

Sensing her mother’s sudden somber mood, Kute took the initiative to distract them and led them to another place. As they were walking around, Richard took Maya’s hand, entwined it with his and lifted to his lips for a kiss.

“You really can’t get enough of your parent’s story, do you?” he asked.

Richard collected her in his arms and hugged her tight. “Then I promise to give you the best love story ever.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The cool morning breeze of Saturday came. Everyone’s hype doubled up as the day of the pamamanhikan had finally arrived. Everyone’s been busy more than ever helping out the dela Rosa family arrange their yard for the pamamanhikan. One neighbour after the other comes to the Chibugan, each one with a dish or good in hand. The Chibugan had been filled with a lot of food and goods that both Kute and Jeff were forced to bring some of them inside the house.

Outside, the men helped in arranging and setting up tables, chairs and different decorations. A pig as well is dressed to be roasted in a couple of hours on the side of the house. Everyone’s in a festive mood and excited with arrival of Richard and his parents to the dela Rosa residence. Everyone’s been busy that time went by swiftly for each and everyone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

7PM came. Maya paced back and forth inside her room, anxious and fidgety at the same time. The door creaked open and in came Nanay Teresita which Maya had not noticed right away if she had not made her presence known to the latter.

“Maya, nak. Ano ka ba? Kumalma ka lang,” soothed Nanay Teresita.

Maya clasped her hands together to control her fidgeting. “Kinakabahan kasi ako nay eh.”

Nanay Teresita and Maya went towards the window and saw Richard and his parents making their way towards the stairs. They both went out to welcome the Lim family.

As Richard and his parents made their way up the stairs, Maya and her family welcomed them on top and ushered them towards the living room. As everyone gathered up and took their seats, Richard and Maya sat side by side at the head of the room.

Richard took Maya’s hand and clasped with his, taking courage and assurance from her. “Nay, Mamang, Kute, in front of my parents, I’d like to ask for Maya’s hand in marriage. I promise to love her and have her happiness be my first priority before mine. I also promise not to hurt her or make her cry, except for tears of joy of course. Makaaasa po kayo na hinding hindi ko po siya pababayaan.” Richard turned to Maya and looked tenderly in her eyes. He was rewarded with a warm smile from her.

Nanay Teresita saw the sincerity and tenderness in every word that Richard uttered. Right from the start, she didn’t doubt nor question his sincerity and the intentions that he has for her daughter. If there was something that she can be sure of, that is the fact that Richard will stay true to his promises to her daughter and that he really is the one that God made for her very own Maya.

Both families went their way out of the house and joined the rest of the community in the little festivity they prepared. Both families received unending congratulatory messages and well-wishes. Everyone were having a good time and are all enjoying the food prepared for each and everyone.

After dinner, Lino and Jeff set up a table on one side and invited Richard, Don Roberto, Kute, and Simon over. A couple of seconds later, coming from the Chibugan, Jeff had a 2L bottle of Lambanog at hand.

One of the neighbours started playing a guitar and another started singing to it. Richard, gaining courage from alcohol, stood up and asked Maya for a dance. Roberto also stood up, went to Esmeralda and asked her for a dance.

Both couples went to the middle and started dancing to the music, much to everyone’s delight. Both Maya and Esmeralda are laughing at their partners as they sway mindlessly against the beat of the music. As the song came to end, Richard and Roberto went back to their table despite Maya’s and Esmeralda’s plea for them to stop.

Donya Esmeralda knew that Nanay Teresita was right. Though she was reluctant to leave Richard behind, she was left with no other choice but to do so. She was just grateful that Teresita and her family were accommodating enough to let Richard stay, treating him already as part of their own family.

“Eh may magagawa pa nga po ba ako,” sighed Maya. She then turned around and went to Richard who was still resting at the living room.

She walked up to him and helped him up and walk him towards her room and placed him on her bed. Maya went outside and got herself a basin filled with water and a face towel. She also took one of Kute’s shirt and shorts. As she got back to the room, she found Richard lying still on her bed. She started soaking the face towel, squeezed the water out of it and wiped it on his face, neck, and arms. She also managed to change his shirt. When she was already about to change his pants, she stopped, unsure of whether to pursue or not.

“Honey? Honey?” She tried to wake Richard up.

Richard simply answered with a grunt.

“Honey. Kailangan mo na munang bumangon para magpalit ng pantalon.”

Richard opened his eyes and smiled at the sight of Maya.

“Angel,” slurred Richard.

“Honey, bumangon ka na muna at magpalit ng pantalon.”

Richard grinned foolishly and obeyed her. He tried to stand up but swayed easily then chuckled like a fool.

“Nahihilo ako angel,” chuckled Richard then slumped back on bed.

Maya immediately went to his side and assisted him to sit up straight. “Naku pano ba ito? Hindi naman pwede na matulog ito ng naka pantalon. Hindi magiging komportable para sa kanya,” she thought. She then decided to assist him to stand up and see if he can change his pants from there.

She took his arm and placed it around her shoulders as she tried to support his frame. She then asked him to remove his pants. As Richard tried to remove his belt, Maya instinctively closed her eyes. She then felt Richard bending down, as if trying to reach something from his legs or ankles.

“Tanggal na angel,” he said.

Without opening her eyes, she reached out the shorts to him. Once again, she felt Richard bend down as he wore the shorts.

“Ok na angel,” chuckled Richard.

She then opened her eyes and saw him grinning down at her with eyes half-open. Carefully, she assisted him back on her bed. After placing him back on bed, Maya stood up and took the wet face towel and basin outside.

As she got back inside her room, she found Richard sleeping peacefully. She walked near him and sat on the side of the bed. As she watched him sleep, she tried to caress and brush his hair tenderly using her hands.

When she stopped and tried to stand up, Richard grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to bed causing her to stumble on top of him.

“Ayyy!!” exclaimed Maya.

“Angel don’t go. Just stay here with me.”

Maya tried to look at his face and saw that his eyes are still closed. When she tried to get up, he just tightened his hold on her.

“Honey, hindi ako aalis. Mahihiga lang ako sa tabi mo.”

She then felt his grip loosen. As she was momentarily freed from his grip, she moved from his top and lay down on his side. As she lay herself, she felt Richard move close to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her tight against him.

“I love you angel.”

Maya looked at his face, his eyes are still closed. She smiled at him.

Calendar of Posts

Categories

Categories

Archives

Archives

Think before you copy.

It's perfectly fine to like, share, favourite or bookmark - but copying the stories and posting them as your own is not.
The stories posted on this site belong solely to the author indicated. It is with their permission that we post them.